Health literacy of college freshmen in jiangsu, China : A 3-year longitudinal survey

Abstract

Health literacy (HL) has become an important public health issue and received growing attention in recent years. However, knowledge about the HL of adolescents and young adults is limited. ^{[ 1]} This study aimed to investigate the awareness rate of HL and its related factors among college freshmen in Jiangsu, China. And the results were used to support the promotion intervention to improve the HL of at-risk groups among this population.

A total of 25,272 freshmen were surveyed through multi-stage stratified random sampling from 20 colleges and universities in Jiangsu province between 2016 to 2018. Data were obtained using the “Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire” (2013 edition). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors influencing HL levels.

The awareness rate of HL of college freshmen in Jiangsu province was 26.6% among the 25,272 subjects. The awareness rate of HL tended to increase from 2016 to 2018, which was 17.9%, 21.5%, and 39.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). Specifically, except for chronic diseases, knowledge and attitudes, knowledge and attitudes toward health-related behavior and lifestyle, health-related skill and scientific views of health, infection diseases, safety and first aid, medical care, health information awareness rate all have improved to a certain degree ( P < .001). The independent factors associated with HL awareness rate were sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.099, (1.039 –1.164)), residence (urban: OR = 1.141, (1.056∼1.234)), educational system (OR = 2.133, (1.975–2.305)), only child or not (OR = 1.087, (1.018–1.161)), family structure (OR = 1.192, (1.078–1.319)) and maternal education level (high school: OR = 1.183 (1.067–1.313); university and more: OR = 1.481 (1.324–1.658)).

Awareness rate of HL of college freshmen is associated with multi-complex factors, further works are recommended to improve the HL levels of college freshmen, especially for the aspect of chronic diseases.